Aaron Strachan, 21, has been given a lifelong restriction order after admitting the rape of a 15-year-old girl and two other violent attacks. Judge Michael O'Grady KC warned him he may never be released from prison.
Abduction and rape in Edinburgh city centre
On 25 May last year, Strachan approached the teenager at a bus stop in Edinburgh city centre in the early hours. Feeling uneasy, she walked away towards Princes Street, but Strachan followed her, his face concealed by a balaclava, as captured on CCTV.
He then sprinted towards the girl as she sat at a second bus stop, threatening her with a knife. Grabbing her by the shoulders, he forcibly dragged her to a basement on York Place, barricaded the door with wooden pallets, and raped her.
Other attacks and escape
On the same day, Strachan stabbed a man in an unprovoked attack in the South Bridge area. Three days later, on 28 May, he assaulted another man with a hammer in High Riggs, leaving the victim with a fractured skull and bleeding on the brain. The judge described the consequences as catastrophic.
Strachan was due to be sentenced earlier this year but escaped while being escorted from the Court of Session to a prison van. He was recaptured a few hours later after a significant police search.
Court proceedings and sentence
Strachan admitted the rape and two assaults on 4 December 2025, and pleaded guilty to attempting to pervert the course of justice on Monday. Judge O'Grady said Strachan's actions were 'the stuff of nightmares for every woman and every young girl, and every parent who waits at home for their child to return home safely'. He described the crime as 'truly bestial' and Strachan as 'predatory'.
The judge noted Strachan's criminal record of 18 previous court appearances for 38 separate charges, eight involving weapons. He imposed a lifelong restriction order with a minimum term of five years, stating: 'You are likely to remain in prison for many years, if indeed you are ever released.'
Strachan, handcuffed to security officers throughout the hearing, showed no response. His solicitor Simon Collins said the offences were 'extremely serious' and that Strachan faced 'an extremely lengthy period in custody'.
Faye Cook, procurator fiscal for High Court sexual offences, said: 'Aaron Strachan's actions in abducting his victim before raping her were calculated, predatory and caused profound harm.' She added that the conviction reflects the gravity of his crimes.
